“the specialist detectives will probe crimes dating back to the 1980s and 1990s…”

The PSNI have set up a “specialist team of detectives” to re-examine “specific” crimes, “dating back to the 1980s and 1990s” as well as “a series of incidents around the turn of the 21st century”, which “detectives believe may have involved present-day dissidents.” [added link]

In a further development, it has emerged that, just 24 hours before the fatal car bomb blast in Omagh, police had ordered a specialist team of detectives to begin sifting through evidence from historic dissident attacks in a bid ramp up the pressure on the terrorists.

The cold case review will see exhibits analysed using the latest fingerprint recognition technology and Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA forensic techniques.

The team’s work is being funded directly by the additional £245m (€277.4m) secured by the PSNI from the Treasury and Stormont Executive to tackle the dissident threat.

High-ranking security sources revealed the additional investigative tactic against the wider dissident movement as two men arrested on suspicion of Pc Kerr’s murder continued to be questioned.

The review will examine specific crimes detectives believe may have involved present-day dissidents.

While the specialist detectives will probe crimes dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, the principal focus will be on a series of incidents around the turn of the 21st century. [added emphasis]

It is understood one is the Real IRA murder of a civilian building contractor at an Army base in Limavady, Co Derry, in 2002.

David Caldwell, 51, died when he picked up a booby-trap bomb hidden in a lunchbox at the TA base.

However, the team will not confine its work to terror acts and every facet of suspected dissidents affairs will be examined, from past financial dealings to potential involvement in other crimes.

“We hope to engender a state of paranoia among the dissidents,” said another police source. “Make their lives as uncomfortable as possible.”

Seems more like a cosy little job creation scheme, for those into scratching their heads well behind the front line, rather than doing anything constructive and meaningful in policing to advance society at the front line. A nice little earner for doing precious little worth anything in the future. Which is probably what is fuelling all of the dissent.

Security and intelligence in the community from the PSNI and MI5 …. oh please, you’re ‘avin a larf mate. And I suppose all those barristers are bemoanong the fact that they have no stitched up suspects to defend and/or prosecute depending upon ….. well, in that perverse game it doesn’t depend upon anything really does it, for it is just teams of smart asses competing against each others overinflated egos to defeat and conquer forces with law and disorder and strut about like peacocks.

tacapall

Why are they not investigating crimes dating back to the 70s is that not in the public interests as maybe that would involve most of the politicians running about stormont today.

joeCanuck

Tacapall,

I think the answer to the first part of your question is actually to be found in the second part of the question.

joeCanuck

Don’t rock the boat! We don’t want any more bombs in London, no siree. That might lead to a public demand for all out conflict or for a withdrawal. Can’t have either of those. Take comfort; just keep repeating the mantra that works – peace process, peace process.

HeinzGuderian

“I thought of saying something smart like this is exactly how you left the entire unionist community by the time of the last campaign completing itself.” word

Well,seeing as how the pira murdered more people from the entire nat/rep community,you could say the Unionist Community wasn’t that bovvered !! 😉

The Word

JoeCIAnuck

” That might lead to a public demand for all out conflict or for a withdrawal”

It’s not a question of rocking the boat at this time. It’s a question of doing the right thing.

Of course your conclusions are silly in relation to another big bomb. Two have always been able to play at that game. No matter what I say, there are those seeking to play games as if there will be any other winner that the one for whom the whole conflict was designed, perfectly designed.

joeCanuck

Just what conclusions failed pontificating priest?

The Word

JoeCIAnuck

” That might lead to a public demand for all out conflict or for a withdrawal”

As you said, and those conclusions out of touch with the reality of this time.